Equipment for holding workpieces

ABSTRACT

Equipment for mounting workpieces in relation to a machine tool axis as pertaining to the spindle of a cutting, milling or drilling tool or the like, and on a machine tool table which can be placed in particular position relative to the tool. A support table is mounted on the machine tool table for turning on a second axis, which can be placed by the machine tool table in particular relation to the tool axis; a prism is mounted with one end face on the support table, so that at least two of the prism sides have similar distance from the second axis; at least two of the sides are provided each with an array of threaded fitting bores arranged in regular spacing along two coordinates on the respective side, the bores of the arrays being arranged to have similar position for similar dispositions of the two sides in relation to the tool. The prism sides have second bores respectively between four of the fitting bores as forming a quadrilateral, and suction into the second bores is provided for; the sides have grooves interconnecting the second bores; upon turning the table, each of the prism sides is selectably placeable into the same particular position in relation to the tool axis.

United States Patent [1 1 Seideniaden Iii] 3,790,153

[451 Feb. 5, 1974 EQUIPMENT FOR HOLDING WORKPIECES [22] Filed: Oct. 24,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,996

[75] Inventor:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 27, 1971 Germany 2153463[52] US. Cl 269/21, 51/235, 269/296 [51} Int. Cl B25b 11/00 [58] Fieldof Search 269/21, 24, 296; 51/235; 29/D1G. 44

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,711,082 1/1973 Seidenfaden..L 269/21 3,606,300 9/1971 Davis 269/296 3,486,441 12/1969 Hillman etal. 269/21 X 2,443,987 6/1948 Morrison et a1. 51/235 X FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 144,194 2/1954 Sweden 269/296 Primary Examiner- Roy LakeAssistant Examiner-C. Feinberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Smyth, Roston &Pavitt ABSTRACT Equipment for mounting workpieces in relation to amachine tool axis as pertaining to the spindle of a cut ting, milling ordrilling tool or the like, and on a machine tool table which can beplaced in particular position relative to the tool. A support table ismounted on the machine tool table for turning on a second axis, whichcan be placed by the machine tool table in particular relation to thetool axis; a prism is mounted with one end face on the support table, sothat at least two of the prism sides have similar distance from thesecond axis; at least two of the sides are provided each with an arrayof threaded fitting bores arranged in reg ular spacing along twocoordinates on the respective side, the bores of the arrays beingarranged to have similar position for similar dispositions of the twosides in relation to the tool. The prism sides have second boresrespectively between four of the fitting bores as forming aquadrilateral, and suction into the second bores is provided for; thesides have grooves interconnecting the second bores; upon turning thetable, each of the prism sides is selectably placeable into the sameparticular position in relation to the tool axis.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEU F 5 4 EQUIPMENT FOR HOLDINGWORKIPIE CES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relatesto improvements for mounting, holding and positioning workpieces inrelation to one or several particular axes as defined, e.g., by arotating machine tool such as a milling cutter, drill or the like.

Angle clamps are used quite commonly in chucks for fastening workpiecesin machine tools having horizontal spindle, such as a horizontal drillor milling cutter. The chuck clamps are provided with longitudinalgrooves, and either the work itself or holders are fastened to suchangle piece by means of conventional clamping bolts and shoes. Thismethod of holding and fastening a workpiece has the disadvantage thatthe next piece to be worked can be positioned only after work on thecurrent piece has been completed and that piece has been removed. Thus,setting and preparation periods are rather long. Unless the workpiececan be mounted directly on and by the angle clamp, additional workpieceholders are needed which are matched to the contour thereof or which areotherwise specifically designed for a particular work. Another problemis the accurate positioning of the workpiece relative, e.g. to adrilling or a milling axis. This is particularly important forpositioning of plural workpieces in relation to a tool facility which iscomputer controlled.

Various improved workpiece holding and fastening equipment inconjunction with a machine tool table is disclosed in my copending U.S.Pat. application Ser. No. 32,581, filedApr. 28, 1970, (now U.S. LettersPatent No. 3,71 1,082), as well as in German printed Pat. applicationsNo. 1,903,576 and No. 1,923,833, using mounting elements of variouskinds. Employment of particular positioning elements on such a tooltable in cooperation with suction means as disclosed there, is quiteadvantageous for obtaining support and fastening which is not disturbedby clamping shoes or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a facility for mounting a workpiece in relation to a, e.g.,horizontal spindle axis, so that the preparation times are reduced, andclamping shoes can be avoided.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, itis suggested to provide a support body of prism configuration having oneof its parallel end faces mounted (or provided for mounting) on a tooltable, workbench etc. At least two of the sides of the prism areprovided each with an array of threaded bores as well as with an arrayof interspaced bores which lead to a suction system. The latter boresare interconnected in the respective surfaces of the sides withchannels. One will preferably chose nonintersecting sides of the prismfor reason of easy access. The system of channels and bores on the twosides thusly equipped, will cooperate with workholders and mountingelements of the type disclosed in detail in my copending U.S. Pat.application, Ser. No. 32,581, filed Apr. 28, 1970. The disclosure ofthese holders is incorporated by reference.

The mounting prims is mounted on one of its parallel end faces inrelation to the machine tool proper for relative turning motion so as topermit the tool, particularly its axis, to assume similar positionsrelative to the said mounting sides of the prism. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the machine tool is stationary, except for operative toolmotion of a drill or controlled milling motion of a cutter etc.

The prism is preferably mounted on a positioning device, which includesa cross-slide supporting a turntable or the like; the prism is mountedon the turntable. One side of the prism holds a workpiece and cooperateswith the particular tool. In the meantime, another workpiece can befastened to the other side of the prism, or to one of the other sidesthereof, which has also the bore and channel system as described. Thisway, work mounting and unmounting proceeds on sides of the mountingprism facing away from the side holding the workpiece that is beingworked. If the two mounting sides of the prism have: similar distanceand orientation to the turning axis of the prism and if the bore systemof the two mounting; sides have the same orientation as to anyparticular plane and level, it will be necessary merely to turn theprism on the turntable for placing a new workpiece exactly in thedesired relation to the tool.

From a somewhat broader point of view, each mounting side has a patternof threaded fitting bores which permit mounting of a workpiece,preferably by means of the particular type holders, to the side whilefacing away from the tool. The mounting position can be selected so thatupon relative turning of the mounting prism any new position of themounted work in relation to the tool is fully predictable, merely byaccurate determination of the turning angle.

It can readily be seen that only two mounting sides of the prism areneeded generally, one holding the piece that is being worked, while thepreviously worked piece is replaced by a new one on the other mountingside of the prism, facing away from the tool.

The positioning of the sides of the mounting prism relative to the toolmay require a turning motion only, but for one reason or another, alateral displacement may be superimposed. While preferably the mountingprism turns on an axis, the tool may in cases be turned on such an axiswhile the prism remains stationary. It can readily be seen that onlymounting two sides are needed for this operation. The remaining sidescould be equipped with grooves for receiving conventional work holdingand clamping shoes or the like. The other (usually upper) end face ofthe prism may be provided with a center bore as well as with additionalthreaded bores in particular relation to the center bore. This way, thisparticular surface can be used also for holding workpieces to be worked,e.g., on end faces, along the periphery etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes withclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subjectmatter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that theinvention, the objects and features of the invention and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a mounting prism on a turntable andmachine tool table and showing directly one of the mounting sides of theprism;

F IG. 2 is a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 3 is a view of machine tool with horizontal axis,

further showing the mounting prism, turned by 90 as compared with FIG.1.

Proceeding now to the detailed description of the drawings, a mountingprism l sits with one of its parallel end faces on a turntable 2, havingaxis 21. Turntable 2, in turn, is mounted on a cross-slide 3 formovement in two orthogonal directions in a horizontal plane. Cross-slide3 is the worktable of a machine tool 4, having a horizontal workingspindle 14 with a tool 15 rotating on the horizontal spindle axis 141.The tool may undergo, e.g., program controlled motions which includesmotions in and along the axis 141, as well as lateral displacement ofthe axis. However, if we speak here of a position of the tool axis, thisis to mean, for example, the starting position of the axis and tool,e.g., for a controlled cutting operation, for a first drilling operationetc. Of principle interest here are work operations which may requirerepetition of the same operation on several workpieces.

The prism 1 has rectangular end faces (respectively facing up and down)and four rectangular sides. Two oppositely facing sides are eachprovided with an identical array of threaded positioning and fittingbores 5; that is to say, either side can be placed in particularrelation to the axis of spindle l5, and any bore 5 of one prism side hasits counterpart on the other side. The bores 5 on each side are arrangedat equidistant spacing along two orthogonal coordinates, horizontal andvertical. These two mounting sides of the prism have similar distancefrom the axis 21, so that corresponding bores can assume similarpositions upon turning prism 1 on its axis which is colinear withvertical axis 21 of the turntable.

The bores 5 are situated each in the center of a square, the squares areformed by two groups of rectangularly intersecting surface grooves orchannels 6 in the respective mounting sides of the prism. Theintersections of the grooves are provided with suction bores, thusforming an array of bores interspersed in the array of positioning bores5. One can also say that these suction bores each are situated in thecenter ofa quadrilateral (square) as defined by four bores 5. Thesebores in the intersections of the grooves or channels 6 all lead to aninternal duct system of the prism l which, in turn, connects to asuction system, as schematically indicated.

Grooves and intersection bores are sealed to the extent they areexposed;particularly exposed suction bores are plugged. Each of the twosides of the prism having these patterns of bores, carries clamping,holding and mounting elements such as 7, 8 and 9. These elements eachhave base plates provided with threaded bores which are spaced-apartcorresponding to the pattern of bores 5. The base plates of the mountingunits are bolted to the prism whereby each mounting unit is nowparticularly positioned in relation to the pattern of bores 5.

Mounting unit 7, for example, has a central pin or post which assumes adefinite position to the pattern of bores 5 when its base is boltedthereto. Unit 8 has a slide movable parallel to the plane of the prismside to which its base is bolted. One or two suction bores underneaththe slide unit are not plugged, so that the slide is sucked against thebase. Those of grooves 6 tending to provide communication between theseunplugged bores and the exterior are sealed.

The unit 9 is a so-called cross-slide and permits adjustment in twoorthogonal directions, but in a plane parallel to the side of prism 1 towhich such a unit 9 is affixed. Each of the units 8 and 9 has also amounting pin or bolt. Examples for units 7, 8 and 9 are shown in greaterdetail in my copending US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 32,581 (now US.Pat. No. 3,711,082). This patent shows additional mounting elementswhich are usable here.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, three such mounting elements or units, one ofeach type, are provided so as to position and to mount a triangularworkpiece 11. As shown in FIG. 3, one workpiece faces tool 15 as the oneside of prism faces that tool.

The one side of prism 1 shown in elevation in FIG. 3

(as well as the opposite side) may be provided with a system ofconventional T-grooves 12 (see FIG. 2) so that the prism 1 may be usedto mount conventional holders and clamping shoes. As can be seenspecifically from FIG. 2, the upper end face of the prism has a centralbore 13 concentrical to the axis of rotation of turntable 2. Positioningbores 5 in the upper face of prism 1 may be arranged in rows asillustrated, whereby the spacing of bores 5 in each row is the same asthe spacing of bores 5 in the specific mounting sides of the prism.Thus, this top face of the prism when mounted may hold also mountingunits such as 7, 8 and 9. The center bore 13 may receive the center postof an adapter or of a particular mounting device or holder constructedfor concentric mounting of a work on an axis.

In operation, and turning here specifically to FIG. 3, one of theimproved work holding sides of the prism faces the tool 15 while itsholding elements 7 etc. support a workpiece in particular position. Thatposition is defined by the tool 15 and its axis 141, and is establishedthrough known pre-association of the pattern of bores 5. The cross-slidetable 3 is preferably adjusted here, so that one point of support for awork can be established by a mounting element 7 with a fixed post (seeFIG. 1) The mounting elements with slides, such as 8 and 9 are then usedto match the support to the particular dimensions of work 11. Thesemounting ele ments with slides will also take up length variations thework 11 may undergo.

As the one workpiece is being worked by the tool, the other improvedmounting side of prism l for holding work faces away from the tool andis readily accessible for mounting another workpiece. Again, the onecorresponding support point for a workpiece will be held and positionedby a mounting element 7 with stationary post, and that element ismounted to the bores 5 on that side corresponding to the other element 7that holds the piece currently worked. One can also say that the fixedmounting post for this one element 7 is precisely from the correspondingpost holding the piece that is being worked, and these reference pointshave identical distance from the axis 21. Accordingly, each point of thenewly mounted workpiece assumes a predictable position relative to thetool, after the prism has been turned by 180.

As work on the one piece is completed, the table 2 is turned by 180 andnow the new workpiece has exactly the same position the previous one hadduring working, so that the tool 15 finds the new workpiece in thedesired position. In the meantime, the previously worked piece isremoved from the side of prism 1 now facing away from the tool and a newblank is substituted etc. Of course, the utilization of the equipment isnot limited for working the same kind of workpiece. The example abovemerely illustrates that each improved mounting side is provided formounting a workpiece outside of the working plane of the tool, but in aposition that is accurately predictable in relation to the tool and itsinteraction with the work. Instrumental here is the relation betweenfitting and positioning bores 5 and the turning axis of the prism.Instrumental here is further the utlization of these individually butaccurately and predictably placeable mounting elements 7, 8 and 9,permitting accurate positioning of the mounted work after providing adefinite displacement (such as turning table 2 by 180).

The other sides having mounting grooves 12 can be used analogously forconventionally mounting workpieces, however, the position of eachworkpiece has to be adjusted in each instant.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but allchanges and modifications thereof not constituting departures from thespirt and scope of the invention are inteded to be included.

I claim:

1. Equipment for mounting and positioning workpieces in relation to amachine tool axis as pertaining to the spindle of a milling or drillingtool or the like, comprising:

support means;

a mounting prism having two parallel end faces and rectangular sides,the prism mounted with one of the end faces on the support means;

at least two of the sides of the prism provided each with an array offirst threaded, fitting bores arranged with regular spacing along twocoordinates on the respective sides, the first bores of the arrayshaving similar location for similar positions of the two sides inrelation to an axis;

said sides having second bores respectively between four of the fittingbores as forming a quadri-lateral, the prism provided with means forproviding suction in the second bores, the sides having channels, opento the sides and interconnecting the second bores; and

means for providing relative displacement between two relative positionsas between the tool axis and said prism, the tool axis having the samerelative positions to said sides in each of said positions.

2. Equipment as in claim 1, including mounting elements having threadedbores spaced corresponding to the spacing of the first bores, forbolting to the sides in predetermined position thereon, the mountingelements including at least two, one for each side, and having a fixedmounting post and bolted to the corresponding bores of the firstplurality so that the post can assume the same position relative to thetool axis in each of said positions.

3. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the remaining sides of the prism areprovided with interacting clamping grooves.

4. Equipment as in claim ll, there being sealing elements disposed inthe grooves.

5. Equipment as in claim 1, the prism being mounted on a turntable, thetool having axis whose position is independent from the rotation of theturntable, the two positions defined by rotation of the turntable overan angle necessary to place the sides into identical positions relativeto the tool when its axis has a fixed position.

6. Equipment for mounting workpieces in relation to a machine tool axisas pertaining to the spindle of a cutting, milling or drilling tool orthe like, there being a machine tool table, and tool and table can beplaced in particular position relative to each other, comprising:

a support table mounted on the machine tool table for turning on asecond axis, the second axis being placed by the machine tool table inparticular relation to the tool axis;

a mounting prism having two parallel end faces and rectangular sides,the prism mounted with one of the end faces on the support table, sothat at least two of the sides have similar distance from the sec ondaxis;

at least two of said sides provided each with an array of first threadedfitting bores arranged in regular spacing along two coordinates on therespective side, the bores of the arrays having similar location forsimilar positions of the two sides,

said sides having second bores respectively between four of the fittingbores as forming a quadrilateral, the prism provided with means forproviding suction in the second bores, the sides having groovesinterconnecting the second bores;

each of said sides being selectably placeable into the same particularposition in relation to the tool axes upon turning the table.

7. Equipment as in claim 6, wherein the tool axis is horizontal, thesecond axis is vertical.

8. Equipment as in claim 6, the prism having a central axis and bore,coaxial with the second axis on the other one of said end faces, therebeing particularly arranged threaded fitting bores on said other endface.

* l i l= l

1. Equipment for mounting and positioning workpieces in relation to amachine tool axis as pertaining to the spindle of a milling or drillingtool or the like, comprising: support means; a mounting prism having twoparallel end faces and rectangular sides, the prism mounted with one ofthe end faces on the support means; at least two of the sides of theprism provided each with an array of first threaded, fitting boresarranged with regular spacing along two coordinates on the respectivesides, the first bores of the arrays having similar location for similarpositions of the two sides in relation to an axis; said sides havingsecond bores respectively between four of the fitting bores as forming aquadri-lateral, the prism provided with means for providing suction inthe second bores, the sides having channels, open to the sides andinterconnecting the second bores; and means for providing relativedisplacement between two relative positions as between the tool axis andsaid prism, the tool axis having the same relative positions to saidsides in each of said positions.
 2. Equipment as in claim 1, includingmounting elements having threaded bores spaced corresponding to thespacing of the first bores, for bolting to the sides in predeterminedposition thereon, the mounting elements including at least two, one foreach side, and having a fixed mounting post and bolted to thecorresponding bores of the first plurality so that the post can assumethe same position relative to the tool axis in each of said positions.3. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the remaining sides of the prism areprovided with interacting clamping grooves.
 4. Equipment as in claim 1,there being sealing elements disposed in the grooves.
 5. Equipment as inclaim 1, the prism being mounted on a turntable, the tool having axiswhose position is independent from the rotation of the turntable, thetwo positions defined by rotation of the turntable over an anglenecessary to place the sides into identical positions relative to thetool when its axis has a fixed position.
 6. Equipment for mountingworkpieces in relation to a machine tool axis as pertaining to thespindle of a cutting, milling or drilling tool or the like, there beinga machine tool table, and tool and table can be placed in particularposition relative to each other, comprising: a support table mounted onthe machine tool table for turning on a second axis, the second axisbeing placed by the machine tool table in particular relation to thetool axis; a mounting prism having two parallel end faces andrectangular sides, the prism mounted with one of the end faces on thesupport table, so that at least two of the sides have similar distancefrom the second axis; at least two of said sides provided each with anarray of first threaded fitting bores arranged in regular spacing alongtwo coordinates on the respective side, the bores of the arrays havingsimilar location for similar positions of the two sides; said sideshaving second bores respectively between four of the fitting bores asforming a quadrilateral, the prism provided with means for providingsuction in the second bores, the sides having grooves interconnectingthe second bores; eaCh of said sides being selectably placeable into thesame particular position in relation to the tool axes upon turning thetable.
 7. Equipment as in claim 6, wherein the tool axis is horizontal,the second axis is vertical.
 8. Equipment as in claim 6, the prismhaving a central axis and bore, coaxial with the second axis on theother one of said end faces, there being particularly arranged threadedfitting bores on said other end face.